DOBING,
Sidney Robert,
- Passed away peacefully in his
92nd year. Born in Edson Alberta. Joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Seaman 10 May
1939 at Sheerness, Kent. First ship was the Tribal Class HMS Mashona, seeing
action in the North Sea, Norwegian Campaign and the Atlantic. Sid was the last
remaining survivor of the sinking of Mashona (May 1941) following battle with
German battleship Bismark, which was also sunk. Sid transferred to the RCN in
June 1941 and survived when HMCS Ottawa was torpedoed and sunk 13 September
1943. He was one of 76 survivors, but 114 of his shipmates perished. He was
one of only two remaining survivors of the Ottawa. Continued his Navy career,
serving on several HMC ships including Pictou, Antigonish, Fairmile ML124 (as
Commanding Officer), Digby, Athabaskan and Margaree retiring as CPO First Class in
September 1960 before starting a second successful career with Veterans
Affairs. Sid was an avid gardener, walker and reader. He was a member of the
Royal Canadian Legion, Masonic Lodge, Shady Creek United Church, Chief and POs
Association and an Honorary Life Member of the Broadmead Veterans Care
Society. Predeceased by wife Bonney, he is survived by brother Fred (Norah);
son Brian (Xiying); daughter Lynne (Garry); granddaughters Kimberly, Hilary
(Caleb), Selina, Janelle; and great granddaughter Scarlett. Service will be
held Friday October 18 at 2:30 at Shady Creek United Church in Saanichton.

Sid
survived the sinking of HMS Mashona on 28 May 1941. HMS Mashona had
taken part in the search and destruction of the German battleship
Bismarck. The Luftwaffe attacked British naval units that were
returning home and Mashona was sunk. Her survivors were picked up by
HMS Tartar and landed at Greenock, Scotland. Two year later Sid survived the sinking of HMCS Ottawa
H60. He said being on deck was an advantage, you definitely did not
want to be in the engine room.

(14)
Sid Dobing (15)
Sid Dobing (left), Cousin Harry Howe and Uncle Harry Howe (back),
Lewisham, Aug 1939 - "I took this many years ago, I thought it might remind you
Brookbank Rd" (16) Sid Dobing at HMS Wildfire, Sheerness,
Kent, Boys Training Establishment, Summer 1939 (17)
Dormitory at HMS Wildfire - "Notice how we keep our clothes. We keep our cases in the
racks on the left." (18)
Gymnasium at HMS Wildfire (19)
Ceremony of Colours at HMS Wildfire - "Every morning the White Ensign is hoisted. The guard
presents arms and the band plays. We will be guard about 3 weeks
before we go." (20)
The Mess as HMS Wildfire - "This
is how the mess is laid out after we have finished a meal. There is
a tea urn, a fanny for porridge, and a kettle for general use. Each
mess has its own bucket. Notice how everything shines. This was kept
very clean by the boys themselves." (21)
Tom Phillips and Sid Dobing, Boy Seamen at HMS Wildfire, Jul 1939

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(22-26) HMS Mashona

(22)
"Going down the Jacobs ladder on from the
shipís boom to enter the shipís whaler, the boat in which we
went sailing - 1940" (23) At sea - 1940 - "Some
of my messmates taken in front of one of the shipís 4.7 inch guns.
Left to right: Myself, Fred Bliss, missing presumed drowned, a
former classmate from Wildfire, Gordon Sawyer, wounded during the
action and also a Wildfire classmate, John McLeod, a messmate and
survivor, from Newcastle." (24) Taken from the shipís bridge, looking
forward. "A calm sea, so imagine what it is like during rough
weather. The ship was rolling, that is why the photo looks like it is
on an angle" (25) Sid Dobing (Bosun's Mate) and Allan Darby (Quartermaster) -
1940-41. "Myself
in 1940. I am wearing the chain and bosun call rather than the white
lanyard normally worn with Number 1 uniform. It indicates that I am
a member of the gangway staff when on duty in harbour."
(26) HMS Mashona's last minutes

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(27)
Sailing in Scapa Flow, I believe
I am holding the stems of some large plants that we found when we
went ashore.

(28) Sailing
at Scapa Flow, Sick Bay Petty Officer J. Hall, near the rear of the
boat without a cap, was in charge. Able Seaman Ed. Small, a
classmate from training in Wildfire is at the front and has a
cigarette in his mouth. I am to right looking outboard. I canít
remember the names of the others but I believe one was a Supply
rating.